Process for the photomechanical reproduction of animal skins and the like



Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PROCESS FOR THE PHOTOMECHANICAL REPRODUCTION OF ANIMAL SKINS AND THE LIKE No Drawing. Application September 3, 1935,

Serial No. 39,069. In Germany 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a process for decorating surfaces in simulation of animal skins, shagreens and the like. More especially, the invention relates to a process for treating animal 5 skins and the like to enable them to be photomechanically reproduced in such a manner that the reproduction will simulate the natural articles, even to the finer tones and natural glow or sheen-like appearances of the original skin or furs.

Heretofore, animal skins, fine leathers, as, for example, squirrel, snake and the like, have been photomechanically reproduced to simulate leather. Such reproduction has been accomplished by means of well-known leather printing 25 these defects may be overcome and the-reproduction given a natural appearance.

Ordinarily, the natural skin or leather is photographed and an offset printing plate made from such photograph by the well-known photomechanical process. This plate thereafter is generally used in an offset printing process, with inks of suitable colors, to reproduce or imitate the natural article photographed. I have found that even though greatest of care is used in photographing and making the printing plate, nevertheless the natural appearance of the simulated results is lacking. Briefly, I find that by treating the skins or furs to be simulated before photographing them, I am able to obtain a printing plate which may be used in the ordinary printing processes and which will simulate or reproduce the design of the skin or fur with great accuracy and at the same time simulate the natural appearances not found when ordinary 45 photomechanical methods are used to produce the printing plate without first treating the skin or fur. This, therefore, is a more specific object i of the present invention.

Other objects of the invention will become 50 more apparent from the following description,

and the essential novel characteristics of the method will be set forth in the claims.

According to the present invention, I treat the skins or furs to be simulated with a waxed 55 polishing stone, before making a photographic September 11,

reproduction from which the printing plate is made by the usual photomechanical method. To this polishing stone I apply a colorless wax-like, non-lubricating ingredient in small amounts, and transfer this ingredient to the skin or fur to be simulated by the stone. Such waxes and ingredients may be a common polishing wax, either of organic or synthetic origin, and when transferred to the skin or fur by means of the stone, will adhere only to the upper layer or elevated scales and give them a greater brilliancy so that a decidedly greater contrast is obtained. Depending upon the color of the skin or fur, I may also color the wax, so that the color contrast on the article being simulated, may be enhanced. In certain instances, as, for instance, white furs or skins, I find that the tonal depths are lacking when ordinary methods of reproduction are used. I also find that by using a dark colored wax on the light colored grain, before photographing the fur or skin and making the printing plate from a negative photogravure resist rather than from a positive photogravure resist, as is ordinarily done,I am able to accentuate both the depth of the tones. This accentuation, however, acts to more nearly simulate the natural article, and does not exaggerate the tones.

In skins and furs and less pronounced color designs, the use of this process results in an improvement, in that the contrast in the skin or fur may be heightened by using colors with stronger contrasting tones upon the less active shades of furs or skins. In skins having a pronounced design, but whose colors are not sufficiently active for insuring color contrast on photographic films, such as for instance, red, I find that by polishing with colors which will cause greater activity on the film, I am able to produce a printing plate which will produce prints more closely simulating the original design in color and tone.

I claim:

1. The process for decorating surfaces in simulation of fine animal skins, leathers and the like, comprising the step of treating such skins to increase their polish and thereafter photographically reproducing a printing plate from such article and transferring the design from the printing plate to the surface to be decorated.

2. The process for decorating surfaces in simulation of fine animal skins, leathers and the like, comprising the step of treating such skins, leathers and the like with a colorless wax-like polish and thereafter photographically reproducthe like and thereafter photographically reproducing a negative or reverse printing plate from such article and transferring the design from the reverse printing plate to the surface to be decorated.

KARL EICHSTADT. 

